Taking Your Kids to the Beach

Nothing sounds like more fun on a summer day than a trip to the beach with the whole family. If you live close to the water, this requires no more preparation than grabbing your swimsuits and climbing in the car, but if you live a ways away from the beach you might want to plan a bit more before taking off for your destination. Just like when going on a family backpacking adventure, making sure you have everything you need to have a great time is necessary if you cannot simply turn around and drive back home to grab something.

Packing Your Supplies

When you are taking kids to the beach you will need to consider what you will need to keep everyone safe and healthy while you are there. Do not forget things like sunscreen, hats or umbrellas you will need to provide sun protection. If you have young children that have not learned to swim yet you may need to bring along floatation devices to keep them safe an you may want to select a beach where there is a lifeguard on duty to help you keep an eye on things.

If you are planning on a full day of beach fun, you will want to pack snacks or a meal. Remember, you will not be able to refrigerate the items you bring so plan food items that can sit out for a few hours without spoiling and bring along icepacks to keep drinks cool. Also pack items in containers that can be resealed to prevent sand from getting in the food as it sits out. Give your kids options as to what you can pack for lunch and let them help decide the menu so you are sure to have items that everyone wants to eat.

If you are visiting a public beach there may be rules about what you can and cannot bring along. Most beaches allow your kids to bring toys such as pool noodles or shovels and buckets to build sandcastles, but some may not allow you to bring pets. Public parks may also have rules about bringing beverages in glass containers that could break and cause injury to the many patrons walking around with bare feet. You may also be required to pay a fee to enter a public park or to park by the beach, so plan for these costs before arriving.

Consider the age of your kids and how easily they tire out when considering a trip to the beach. Older children may want to stay at the beach all day long while younger kids may only be able to handle a few hours before they will need a nap. Do not try to force your kids to handle more beach time than they can manage because this will only make them cranky and spoil the rest of your day. If you know you will need to cut your visit short to accommodate a small child, pick a beach that does not take a long time to get to so you can maximize the amount of time you spend having fun.

Taking your kids to the beach can be a great way to spend the day and create some wonderful memories. You do not have to spend weeks setting up an elaborate trip, but you should take the time to think about what you will need to enjoy the day and what extra touches will make the trip more fun. Taking the time to think about the details will ensure that your trip will be everything you hoped for.

Enter your zip code for affordable home owners insurance quotes

What People Are Saying

"We found your site and changed policies after paying a huge deductible when a storm layed a tree in our living room. Our new deductible is almost 30% less and our monthly payment also went down. Thanks!"